Fitzgerald, Marshall among nominees for Walter Payton award

NEW YORK (AP) Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald, Miami's Mike Pouncey and the New York Jets' Brandon Marshall are among the 32 players eligible for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

Named for the late Hall of Fame running back, the award recognizes a player's community service and performance on the field. The NFL announced the players on Wednesday.

The winner will receive a $500,000 donation to his favorite charity and $500,000 in his name to support the NFL and United Way's Character Playbook program in his team's market. The program is an initiative launched in April that focuses on youth character development and healthy relationships.

Two of the three finalists will receive a $125,000 contribution to a charity of his choice and $125,000 will go to Character Playbook.

Each team nominates a player, and the remaining 29 players will receive $50,000 to the charity of their choice from the NFL Foundation, Nationwide and United Way, and the same amount for the playbook program in their city.

The winner will be announced during the NFL Honors show on Feb. 4, the night before the Super Bowl, when The Associated Press announces its individual player awards, including MVP.

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